63rd Birthday: Gov Adeleke, Jude Imagwe, Isa Bawa, Fatai Aremu, Others Praise Saraki’s Leadership Qualities, Vision At Youth Summit Held By Kwara PDP In Ilorin
Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s vision, courage, and leadership qualities were on Friday praised by political figures in the country at the summit organized by the office the Youth Leader of Kwara State PDP.
The summit held to mark Dr Saraki’s 63rd birthday took place at Arca Santa Arena, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Dr Saraki, who served as governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011, also represented Kwara Central in the senate from 2011 to 2019. He turned 63 on Friday, December 19, 2025.
The youth summit that had as its theme ‘Building The Future, Repositioning Kwara Youths For Leadership Participation And Democratic Growth’ was attended by dignitaries that include Dr Bukola Saraki, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by his Special Adviser on SDG and Multilateral Relations, Hon Banks Omisore, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, Comrade Jude Gabriel Imagwe, who was represented by Hon Funsho Babarinde, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, the state PDP Chairman, Hon Isa Bawa, Hon Moshood Bakare, Governor Adeleke’s SSA on Market Affairs and Trade, Hon Apesin Abiodun Adegoke, Hon Omar Bolaji Gambari, Alhaji Ladi Hassan, Professor Muritala Awodun, Hon Sulaiman Warah, Professor Fatahi Aremu, Engineer Yinka Otukoko, Governor Adeleke’s Special Assistant on Youth Affairs, Hon Aare Abdulmojeed Oyeniyi, Chief Segun Olawoyin, Alhaji Kale Kawu, former Speaker Ahmad Ali, Hon Kazeem Adekanye, who represented Dr Musa Audu, Alhaji Tajudeen Alabi, Hon Atolagbe Alege, Hon Akeem Dare, Hon Olalekan Lawal aka Auto, Hon Odunjo Adio, Hon Aboki Philadelphia, and Hon Eluku omo Adugbo,
The state PDP Chairman, Hon Isa Adamu Bawa set the tone for the event by not only calling Dr Saraki ‘the pride of Kwara’ but also submitting that his life has been devoted to service to humanity.
Alhaji Isa Bawa also noted that the birthday celebrant has been committed to empowering the young people in and out of office.
He also said PDP is the only party that can provide the needed space and mentorship for the young people in the state while noting that the future of democracy rests on the young people and women ,who will not be made to be spectators but active participants .
The young people, he added, should put their creativity, innovative ideas, and energy to use and help to change things for the better in the state.
Giving his speech, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, Comrade Jude Gabriel Imagwe said ‘we are not merely gathered to mark the passage of years in the life of an extraordinary statesman. We are gathered to interrogate ideas, to reflect on history, and to draw lessons for the future of Nigeria, using Kwara State as both a mirror and a message’.
Imagwe, who was represented by Hon Funsho Babarinde, also submitted that at 63, Dr Saraki ‘stands not just as a former Senate President, a former governor, or a political leader but as a living chapter in Nigeria’s democratic evolution’.
‘His life offers us a unique lens through which to examine the interlocking relationship between political stability and national security’.
Comrade Jude Gabriel Imagwe also lamented that insecurity has taught Nigerians a hard lesson while noting that ‘where politics fractures society’, insecurity will fill the vacuum.
Imagwe however added that security will find its footing where leadership builds consensus.
‘Kwara State offers a compelling example. Nestled at Nigeria’s cultural and geographic crossroads, where North meets South, Kwara has long been a buffer zone of moderation, a state that environmental and social ecology demands balance. Its rivers, borders, ethnic mix, and trade routes have historically required leadership that understands coexistence over conquest. Stability in Kwara has never been accidental. It has been cultivated’ he said.
The former presidential aide also emphasized the important role that political dynasties play in ensuring political stability.
‘To understand Kwara’s political stability, one must understand the Saraki political philosophy, a philosophy that has shaped governance across generations. From Dr. Olusola Saraki, the late strongman of Ilorin politics, to Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the dynasty evolved from raw influence to institutional leadership
What distinguished the Saraki tradition was not merely control of political machinery, but an intuitive grasp of Kwara’s social psychology: that peace must precede progress, that inclusion disarms conflict, and that politics without structure breeds chaos. Dr. Bukola Saraki’s era, particularly as governor and later as Senate President, marked a transition from personality politics to system-conscious leadership. His investments in health, education, institutional reforms, and legislative independence reflected a deeper belief: that security is sustained when institutions outlive individuals’ he added.
He also noted that at 63, Dr Saraki ‘stands at the intersection of memory and mandate’ adding that ‘his journey tells young leaders that power must be tempered with wisdom, and ambition anchored in national interest’.
‘Today’s celebration is not just personal. It is symbolic. It asks us: What kind of politics will secure Nigeria’s future? What kind of leadership will stabilize our diversity? What institutions will survive our ambitions? Kwara answers softly but firmly: stability is built, and not declared’ he submitted.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, in his speech, praised the birthday celebrant’s visionary leadership, he also commended him for providing a leadership that focuses on empowering, developing and inspiring others.
In an interview with Team@orientactualmags.com, Professor Fatahi Aremu, who is popularly called ‘dadin kowa’, congratulated Dr Abdubakar Bukola Saraki on his 63rd birthday while commending him for being passionate about youth development.
‘He is very committed to youth development and youth empowerment , he is very passionate about the success of the young people and with the large number of young people gathered here today, it shows clearly that the youth constituency is happy with him.
Kwarans have already learned their lessons and they know that leadership is different from leadership, what Saraki has done for the state is there to speak for itself, his focus has always been on peace, progress and prosperity. Kwara people should therefore troop out enmasse in 2027 to bring his party back to power’ he said.
The state PDP Youth Leader, Comrade Adio Odunjo said Dr Saraki has lived a life of purpose, service, courage, and uncommon dedication to humanity and nation-building hence the decision to hold the youth summit in commemoration of his birthday.
‘Dr. Bukola Saraki’s journey in public service remains one of the most inspiring in our national history, marked by vision, courage, consistency, dedication, and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals.
Saraki’s legacy is inseparable from youth development and empowerment, both politically and economically.
Across all his past and present roles, youth inclusion has remained a consistent priority. Indeed, he remains the only governor in the history of Kwara State-and one of the few in Nigeria-who deliberately positioned young people as major stakeholders in governance and national affairs.
During his governorship, over 70 per cent of his cabinet members were practical and competent young people, including the then serving National President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
As Senate President, he appointed the highest number of youths as legislative aides and provided an enabling environment for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to lawmaking and governance.
Under his leadership, landmark youth-oriented legislative actions were taken, including the historic Not Too Young To Run Bill, which expanded political opportunities for young Nigerians’ he said.
Giving his speech, the birthday celebrant, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki said the seeming intractable intraparty conflict in PDP will soon come to an end citing ongoing discussion between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the two factions in the party.
‘You must have seen that I was on the phone a few minutes ago. Just to let you know what is going on. As we speak, the two factions of the PDP are meeting with INEC.
That’s to tell you that things are beginning to happen. So, I want to assure you that the future is very bright. I only want you to do your own part.
Today is my birthday. Let’s make a pledge to work hard to ensure that we deliver for the PDP. I’ve told you that I don’t have any candidates for any position. Go and deliver those who will represent us.
Let’s bring them in and work together to make a better Kwara and better Nigeria. I know we can do it together.
I assure you that very soon, in a few months to come, we shall become one indivisible party; by then, we will have aligned the factions into one.
Be assured that PDP is still strong and vibrant; in another few months, we shall resolve all grievances’ he said.
The former Senate President also clarified and submitted that he has no preferred candidates among those who are seeking party nominations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
‘I don’t have any favoured candidate or aspirant; anyone is free to contest any elective postition.
I want to thank our elders who are here for their commitment so far. It’s a marriage of the old and young in the PDP. We will not forget the elders.
But the reality is that it’s the time of the youths; we have to nurture and guide them. It’s not about abandoning anybody. The youths are the future. You have to create an opportunity.
Let’s continue to work in harmony and play our own role. Even if we want to fight, let’s get inside Government House and fight in there.
At this point, I want to tell our people, particularly the PDP youths, as we go ahead. Many people have been sending out propaganda. Be assured that PDP is still strong, vibrant and ready to deliver. Yes. Every party will have its own problem. That’s normal. But I can assure you that within the next few months, we’ll resolve our problem.
We’re going nowhere; we are not leaving the PDP, and you people are going nowhere. You’re with me, I’m with you. Wherever I am, we’re going together. PDP is going to make a better Nigeria’ he added-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
